Diseases we need to be vaccinated against
The most important children’s diseases that can be avoided through vaccination are:
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Poliomyelitis
The polio virus causes severe muscular problems which can lead to muscle paralysis (the muscles stop working).
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Diphteria
A disease characterised by the formation of plaques in the throat which make it difficult to swallow and to breathe. It often causes heart and nerve problems.
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Whooping cough
A disease affecting the respiratory tract, characterised by causing so much coughing that it is difficult to eat, drink or even breathe.
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Tetanus
A disease caused by a bacterium that enters the body via cuts and wounds and attacks the nervous system. It causes a very high fever and very painful muscular spasms.
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Measles
This is a highly contagious disease. Its symptoms are: coughing, high fever, watery eyes, sneezing and a rash of small red spots all over the body.
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Meningitis
This disease causes severe inflammation of the meninges, that is, the membranes sheathing the brain and the nerves.
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Hepatitis
An infectious disease causing inflammation of the liver and lesions that increasingly compromise its functioning.
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Rubella (German measles)
The rubella virus causes a rash of small red spots on the skin and palate.El virus de la rubéola provoca una erupción que hace aparecer pequeñas manchas rojas en la piel y el paladar.
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Parotiditis (mumps)
In this disease the parotid gland, the largest salivary gland in the body, located near the jaw, becomes inflamed and swollen.
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Another vaccine that is also used frequently for elderly people or people with respiratory problems, is the flu vaccine.
Other vaccines are necessary when you’re travelling to countries affected by endemic diseases that are not prevalent in Europe.
